PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Michael Vick likely to play Sunday against Giants

The next hurdle for Vick and his sore hamstring is an actual game. He hasn’t played since injuring the leg three weeks ago against the New York Giants, who the Eagles oppose Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

While Vick is listed probable, the quarterback most instrumental in defeating the Giants 36-21 three weeks ago was ruled out.

Nick Foles, who threw two touchdown passes in relief of Vick to beat the Giants, hasn’t healed from the concussion he suffered on the last play of the third quarter in the 17-3 loss last Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys.

That leaves rookie fourth-round pick Matt Barkley as the backup. With Barkley, you don’t need a punter. All three of his possessions in relief of Foles last week ended with interceptions.

But back to the good news.Vick said he wanted to cut it loose at the walkthrough and run a 100-yard dash full speed. While it wasn’t a full practice Vick didn’t have a setback. At the same time if the Eagles downgrade Vick to questionable or worse, it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve done so under Chip Kelly.

In addition to Foles, the Eagles formally ruled out linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring), which means newly signed Emmanuel Acho could make his debut for the team. Acho was with the Birds through the preseason.

Thornton led all Eagles linemen with four stops, including one for loss, in the Oct. 6 win over the Giants at MetLife Stadium. If he can’t go it could mean more time for Clifton Geathers or an activation for rookie Damion Square.

Foles and Knott were the only Eagles who didn’t practice Friday.

***Eagles middle linebacker DeMeco Ryan clearly is the leader on that side of the ball, and it showed in the last game.

It wasn’t so much registering a sack, an interception and leading the Eagles in tackles.

Rather it was the quiet way he went about it by praising his teammates for allowing just 17 points.

“His last year in Houston when he came off his Achilles’ (tendon), I think that was different,” Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin said. “But my first two years playing with him in Houston, he’s the same player that he is here. Now that he’s healthy, he’s back to the same DeMeco I first saw when I got to Houston. He’s a leader of men. He’s the leader of our defense, he’s the leader of this team, leader in this organization. I mean the guy just carries himself at such a professional level that everybody looks up to him all the time.”

***The Giants ruled out running back David Wilson, who hasn’t played since hurting his neck against the Eagles this season.

Doubtful for the Giants is defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (knee), who almost killed the Birds in the first meeting, running back Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring).

***NOTES: The Eagles are 3-1 when running back LeSean McCoy rushes for 100 or more yards, 3-2 when he doesn’t ... Giants passer Eli Manning is slated to start his 142nd straight game this weekend, the longest active streak by a quarterback. In his last six games against the Eagles, Manning has rained 18 touchdown passes against just six interceptions. The Eagles picked him off three times in their first meeting this season ... According to the NFL, the baseline history and physical examination test Foles received uses a 0-to-6 scoring system and rates 22 symptoms including headache, fatigue and dizziness. Foles also was given orientation questions which could include what is today’s date, a memory test such as reciting a list of words and a concentration test like reciting a string of numbers backwards. Later physical tests are administered including standing on one leg to show balance.